Dental holding and resting device for holding the mouth in an open position



2,570,459 EOR HOLDING TIO 9, 1951 R. L. KREIDER V DENTAL HOLDING AND RESTING DEVICE THE MOUTH IN AN OPEN POSI Filed March 51, 1949 INVENTOR RAYMOND L/ vf/oae ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 9, 1951 DENTAL HOLDING AND RESTING DEVICE FOR HOLDING THE MOUTH IN AN OPEN POSITION Raymond 15 Kreider, Milicreek Township, Erie count Ba as n to B- ch, C m an Inc., Brooklyn, N, Y., a corporation of New York Application March 31, 1949, Serial No. 84,624

4 Claims. (0]. l2 8. 12)

This invention relates generally to a device for disposal between the upper andv lower teeth of a human to hold them apart a predetermined distance while-a dentist, hygienist, or the like works thereon and to provide a rest for the jaws of the person whose teeth are being worked on or treated.

With the advancement in the treatment of teeth in the past several years, particularly new methods of treatment of childrens teeth to prevent decay, it is necessary for the patient to hold his mouth open a considerable period of time. This isparticularlydifficult in the case of small children. It is very important in these treatments of the teeth that they be kept extremely dry which is the principal reason that the mouth must be held open. Some devices have heretofore been provided for holding the teeth apart but they have been bulky and it is not possible to work on the teeth behind the holding device because they dam up the back portions of the mouth. Furthermore, no means are provided in these prior devices for positioning absorbent members for absorbing the saliva in the mouth. It has been practically impossible to use any of the prior devices in the treatment of teeth. These prior devices have been very uncomfortable and they provide no rest for the jaws of a patient.

It is, accordingly, an object of my invention to provide a device for holding apart the teeth of a human and for holding them at rest while in a separated position which is simple in construction, economical in cost, economical in manufacture, and efiicient in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a resilient device for holding apart the teeth of a human and for resting the jaw of a person while his teeth are being held apart wherein all of the teeth in the mouth can be worked upon.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device for holding apart the teeth of a human and for resting the jaw while the teeth are being held apart wherein means are provided for positioning absorbent members adjacent the gum line for absorbing saliva in the mouth and main taining the teeth in a dry condition.

Other objects of my invention will become evident from the following detailed description,

taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective view of my novel holdmg and resting device disposed between the upper and lower teeth of a human; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken through the side of'ahuman jaw with my novel tooth separating and .resting device dis.- posed between the upper and lower row of teeth.

Referring nowtofthe drawings, I show in Figs. 1 and 2 an upper row of teeth I and a lower row of teeth 2 of a human having disposed .therebetween my novel resilient holding and resting member or device 3. The device .3 comprises a body portion 4 having an outwardly extending central leg 5 of sufiicient cross section to yieldably resist the-compressive forces caused by the closing of the upper and lower teeth I and 2'. The upper end of' the body 4 is grooved at 6 to provide a seat for one or more cusps of .the upper teeth I. Arms or wings I and 8 also exand outwa dl f om. the od 4 a r pac d laterally outwardly'from the central leg 5. The

wings I and 8 are preferably inclined outwardly a given amount away from the longitudinal axis of the leg 5. The wings I and 8 and the leg 5 form slots 9 and I0 whereby a dentist, hygienist, or the like may pass an instrument or probe or any elongated member therethrough for working upon the teeth behind the member 3. Even the tooth or teeth engaging the end of the leg 5 may also readily be worked upon while my novel device 3 is in an engaged position because the outer ends of the wings I and 8 are spaced therefrom. The wings I and 8 extend outwardly from the body 4 a slightly greater amount than the leg 5 so as to position cylindrical absorbent members l2 and I3 adjacent the gum lines I4 of the lower jaw I 5. Cylindrical absorbent members I6 and I1 engage the outer projecting sides I8 and I9 of the body 4 forming a projection of the side wings I and 8 to position the cylindrical absorbent members I6 and I1 adjacent the gum lines 20 of the teeth I of the upper jaw 2I.

In operation, the mouth of the patient is opened the desired amount and my novel holding and resting member 3 is disposed between the upper and lower teeth I and 2 and moved rearwardly until the end ,of the leg 5 and the grooved portion 6 of the body 4 engage one or more of the upper and lower row of teeth respectively. I preferably dispose one holding and resting device 3 on each side of the mouth. The patient then bites on the holding and resting members 3 wherein the upper and lower rows of teeth I and 2 are yieldably held in an open position. The fact that the members 3 are resilient permits some relative movement between the upper and lower teeth so as to prevent any discomfort or any locking of the jaws. The cylindrical absorbent members I2, I3, I6, and I! are then disposed adjacent the end 3 of the wings I and 8 and the projecting ends l8 and I9 of the body 4 thereby positioning the absorbent members l2, l3, l6, and I! adjacent the gum lines [4 and 20 of the upper and lower teeth I and 2 respectively. An instrument or probe may now be projected through the slots 9 and I and the dentist, hygienist, or the like may work on any teeth in the mouth, either in back of the members 3 or in front thereof or the teeth directly engaged thereby.

My novel holding and resting device 3 may be disposed with the leg 5 and the free ends of the wings I and 8 extending upwardly or downwardly. I prefer to make the member 3 of a yieldable rubber or a rubber composition which may be readily sterilized but any other resilient material may be utilized.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that I have provided a novel device for yieldably holding apart the upper and lower teeth of a human in a restful position, which positions absorbent members adjacent the gum lines of the teeth, and which permits a dentist or other operator to work upon all of the teeth in the mouth while it is in position between the upper and lower teeth.

Various changes may be made in the specific embodiment of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof or from the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A device for holding at rest in an open position the upper and lower rows of teeth of a human comprising a resilient body member having a central outwardly extending leg for engaging.

the cusps of the teeth in one of the said rows thereof, the said body member adapted to engage the cusps of the teeth in the opposing row, and side wing members spaced laterally from said central leg defining slots for projecting an instrument therethrough, said leg and said side wing members extending outwardly from one side of said resilient body member.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein a groove is disposed in said member opposite the central leg thereof for receiving the cusp of a tooth.

3. A device as set forthin claim 1 wherein said wings extend outwardly from said member a greater distance than said leg thereof.

4. An article of manufacture of the type described comprising a resilient member having three aligned, laterally spaced, outwardly extending projections, the end of said center projection and said resilient member being adapted to engage opposing teeth in a human and said outer projections laterally spaced from said center projection defining passageways for the projection of an instrument therethrough for working upon the teeth behind said member. I

R.AYMQND L, KREIDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Switzerland June 1, 1937 

